UPDATE 4.49pm: This afternoon Ann Clwyd responded to Ms Neagle's attack, saying she would be happy to speak to the Torfaen AM.

She said: “I do not want to get into a slanging match with members of the Welsh Assembly though I do want to correct some misinformation. Lynne Neagle is clearly unaware of the extensive private correspondence and meetings I have had with the First Minister and Minister of Health over several months and the detailed evidence I made available. I would be happy to meet with her to explain the concerns which are shared by many about NHS Wales.

“I will continue to raise my concerns until the crisis facing NHS Wales is satisfactorily addressed. Today I released new figures from the House of Commons Library which reveal record waits for Welsh patients requiring basic diagnostic tests – and huge contrasts with the position of English patients. The figures show a worsening position over recent months for MRI scans, CT scans, and ultrasound, echocardiography and other essential procedures for the diagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease.”

UPDATE 3.15pm: Lynne Neagle has reiterated her criticisms of Ann Clywd in a statement to the Argus.

She said: “In the 15 years I’ve been an AM I’ve campaigned consistently on the NHS and fought vociferously to pursue my constituents concerns. I have never, ever shied away from raising difficult issues with the Welsh Government and will continue to do so on behalf of my constituents. As I said yesterday, any poor care in the NHS is unacceptable.

“However, Ann Clwyd has consistently and repeatedly criticised the NHS in Wales without providing the evidence to the Welsh Government back up her complaints. She has also not taken up the offer to meet with the Health Minister to pursue her concerns. Ann should work with the Welsh Government to address any concerns and not consistently make generalisations which are really damaging to the vast majority of NHS staff who do a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. Since yesterday I’ve e-mails from NHS staff from up and down Wales thanking me for adding balance to this really important debate.”

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Her comments came after criticism of her stance from Tory shadow minister for health Darren Millar, who said: “This was an appalling and grossly insensitive outburst aimed at someone whose sole aim is to improve NHS patient care."

12.05pm: A VALLEYS Labour MP recognised for her work on health service complaints was attacked by a party colleague in the Assembly on Wednesday.

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Comments (19)

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.theviking666

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

Score: 20

Cymru Am Beth says...12:56pm Thu 6 Mar 14

theviking666 wrote…

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

Absolutely. Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.

[quote][p][bold]theviking666[/bold] wrote:
On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.[/p][/quote]Absolutely.
Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.Cymru Am Beth

theviking666 wrote…

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

Absolutely. Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.

Score: 19

Cymru Am Beth says...12:56pm Thu 6 Mar 14

theviking666 wrote…

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

Absolutely. Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.

[quote][p][bold]theviking666[/bold] wrote:
On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.[/p][/quote]Absolutely.
Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.Cymru Am Beth

theviking666 wrote…

On Wednesday she said told the Commons she would “think very carefully” before giving any further powers to the Assembly, She is so right.

Absolutely. Says it all really and coming from a Labour MP.

Score: 16

Sometimes says...12:59pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions. As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.

Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions.
As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.Sometimes

Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions. As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.

Score: 24

Severn40 says...1:11pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Lynne Neagle and her husband (AM for Merthyr) are both party hacks representing very safe seats and have to do very little to maintain their comfortable existence. Clearly after 15 years of uninterrupted power in Cardiff Bay, it is right that questions are raised about standards of Welsh public services. Clearly Ms Neagle's outburst at a colleague explains more about her self interest and the general lack of accountability of the Welsh Government.

Lynne Neagle and her husband (AM for Merthyr) are both party hacks representing very safe seats and have to do very little to maintain their comfortable existence.
Clearly after 15 years of uninterrupted power in Cardiff Bay, it is right that questions are raised about standards of Welsh public services. Clearly Ms Neagle's outburst at a colleague explains more about her self interest and the general lack of accountability of the Welsh Government.Severn40

Lynne Neagle and her husband (AM for Merthyr) are both party hacks representing very safe seats and have to do very little to maintain their comfortable existence. Clearly after 15 years of uninterrupted power in Cardiff Bay, it is right that questions are raised about standards of Welsh public services. Clearly Ms Neagle's outburst at a colleague explains more about her self interest and the general lack of accountability of the Welsh Government.

Score: 27

KarloMarko says...1:27pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this. Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.

Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this.
Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.KarloMarko

Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this. Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.

Score: 18

Cymru Am Beth says...1:32pm Thu 6 Mar 14

KarloMarko wrote…

Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this. Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.

Spot on KarloMarko.

[quote][p][bold]KarloMarko[/bold] wrote:
Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this.
Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.[/p][/quote]Spot on KarloMarko.Cymru Am Beth

KarloMarko wrote…

Although Clwyd sold her soul over the Iraq War she is right on this. Denials now will come back and kick the Welsh Labour Party hard where it hurts. Better address the reality. The Welsh NHS is sad and sick.

Spot on KarloMarko.

Score: 8

Llanmartinangel says...2:13pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Sometimes wrote…

Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions. As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.

The problem with a one party state is that when things go wrong the people who take the fateful decisions have nowhere to hide. So instead they resort to lying, denial, infighting and pretending the Earth is a different shape to round. One only has to look at Mark Drayford each time he's interviewed. Just appalling.

[quote][p][bold]Sometimes[/bold] wrote:
Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions.
As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.[/p][/quote]The problem with a one party state is that when things go wrong the people who take the fateful decisions have nowhere to hide. So instead they resort to lying, denial, infighting and pretending the Earth is a different shape to round. One only has to look at Mark Drayford each time he's interviewed. Just appalling.Llanmartinangel

Sometimes wrote…

Up to the moment before a personal tragedy changed her mind, she was all for greater devolved powers, it's sad that such an event took place to make her see how poor her and the rest of her parties decisions have been over the years and what the rest of us have had to live with. The fact that her own party are attacking her for talking about it only goes to show that the WAG are a selfish inward looing bunch who can't take criticism no matter where it comes from and this time are unable to hide behind party politics to avoid answering the questions. As for Lynn Neagle, I do wish she would represent the area she lives in and leave Torfaen to someone who can positively contribute to its development, preferably someone who lives within its community.

The problem with a one party state is that when things go wrong the people who take the fateful decisions have nowhere to hide. So instead they resort to lying, denial, infighting and pretending the Earth is a different shape to round. One only has to look at Mark Drayford each time he's interviewed. Just appalling.

Score: 14

Ollie254 says...2:40pm Thu 6 Mar 14

I have seen Lynne Neagle sat behind a table in the foyer of Tesco,s , Pontypool inviting anyone to sit down and raise issues. That's as accessible as any politician has ever made themselves in my experience and she is to be applauded for that. Ann Clwyd, however, has got the T shirt re the Welsh NHS and she must be listened too. The figures and the concerns raised by English officials will have to be addressed and that can only be done by an enquiry. Until the results are known the transfer of further powers would be disquieting to say the least.

I have seen Lynne Neagle sat behind a table in the foyer of Tesco,s , Pontypool inviting anyone to sit down and raise issues. That's as accessible as any politician has ever made themselves in my experience and she is to be applauded for that. Ann Clwyd, however, has got the T shirt re the Welsh NHS and she must be listened too. The figures and the concerns raised by English officials will have to be addressed and that can only be done by an enquiry. Until the results are known the transfer of further powers would be disquieting to say the least.Ollie254

I have seen Lynne Neagle sat behind a table in the foyer of Tesco,s , Pontypool inviting anyone to sit down and raise issues. That's as accessible as any politician has ever made themselves in my experience and she is to be applauded for that. Ann Clwyd, however, has got the T shirt re the Welsh NHS and she must be listened too. The figures and the concerns raised by English officials will have to be addressed and that can only be done by an enquiry. Until the results are known the transfer of further powers would be disquieting to say the least.

Score: 0

Lliswerry Man says...6:03pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds? Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget. We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die. There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases. £27 million defecit?.... something is not working.

Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS
Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds?
Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget.
We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die.
There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases.
£27 million defecit?.... something is not working.Lliswerry Man

Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds? Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget. We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die. There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases. £27 million defecit?.... something is not working.

Score: 7

blackandamber says...7:09pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.

Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork
out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.blackandamber

Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.

Score: 6

Llanmartinangel says...7:37pm Thu 6 Mar 14

blackandamber wrote…

Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.

And they come from elsewhere in the health service budget and, since you can't spend it twice, something else is starved of cash to pay for it. And, since drugs people don't pay for aren't valued either, by NICE's own figures, a large amount get binned unused.

[quote][p][bold]blackandamber[/bold] wrote:
Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork
out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.[/p][/quote]And they come from elsewhere in the health service budget and, since you can't spend it twice, something else is starved of cash to pay for it. And, since drugs people don't pay for aren't valued either, by NICE's own figures, a large amount get binned unused.Llanmartinangel

blackandamber wrote…

Prescriptions are not free they are paid for by dopey people like me who fork out over 30% of their earnings in taxation.

And they come from elsewhere in the health service budget and, since you can't spend it twice, something else is starved of cash to pay for it. And, since drugs people don't pay for aren't valued either, by NICE's own figures, a large amount get binned unused.

Score: 4

Frankfurt says...7:49pm Thu 6 Mar 14

Speaking from my experience of the NHS in Wales and the standard of treatment I have received and also my wife for cancer, and my children and grandchildren when they've needed help and my father's death in hospital last year when he received wonderful care, and a close friend's experience following a recent stroke,and another friend whose life was saved by the NHS when he suffered a brain haemorrhage, I say that the NHS does a pretty good job. Even an excellent one on times. I agree with Lynne Neagle that this sniping by people like Anne Clwyd and Cameron must be demoralising for the people who work in our hospitals and other health institutions. I say, don't just listen to others. Judge from your own experience.

Speaking from my experience of the NHS in Wales and the standard of treatment I have received and also my wife for cancer, and my children and grandchildren when they've needed help and my father's death in hospital last year when he received wonderful care, and a close friend's experience following a recent stroke,and another friend whose life was saved by the NHS when he suffered a brain haemorrhage, I say that the NHS does a pretty good job. Even an excellent one on times. I agree with Lynne Neagle that this sniping by people like Anne Clwyd and Cameron must be demoralising for the people who work in our hospitals and other health institutions. I say, don't just listen to others. Judge from your own experience.Frankfurt

Speaking from my experience of the NHS in Wales and the standard of treatment I have received and also my wife for cancer, and my children and grandchildren when they've needed help and my father's death in hospital last year when he received wonderful care, and a close friend's experience following a recent stroke,and another friend whose life was saved by the NHS when he suffered a brain haemorrhage, I say that the NHS does a pretty good job. Even an excellent one on times. I agree with Lynne Neagle that this sniping by people like Anne Clwyd and Cameron must be demoralising for the people who work in our hospitals and other health institutions. I say, don't just listen to others. Judge from your own experience.

Score: 0

KarloMarko says...9:33pm Thu 6 Mar 14

I am pleased that your experience was good. Mine, spaced over ten years, with both my (late) father and (late) mother was just the reverse. The clinical staff and surgical teams were faultless. The nursing follow up was God awful and I had to raise hell to overcome a total indifference from people who viewed active nursing as akin to shelf stacking. When do I clock off....not my job... And that's the problem. Variable delivery and luck of the draw, a management no-one ever sees and a partly demoralised (and casual) workforce. I fully support the NHS but WAG are in denial and have circled the wagons. At some point there must be a root and branch review. Ck/out this week's Private Eye for yet more shoulder shrugging and political evasion when confronted with the dismal evidence.

I am pleased that your experience was good. Mine, spaced over ten years, with both my (late) father and (late) mother was just the reverse. The clinical staff and surgical teams were faultless. The nursing follow up was God awful and I had to raise hell to overcome a total indifference from people who viewed active nursing as akin to shelf stacking. When do I clock off....not my job...
And that's the problem. Variable delivery and luck of the draw, a management no-one ever sees and a partly demoralised (and casual) workforce. I fully support the NHS but WAG are in denial and have circled the wagons. At some point there must be a root and branch review. Ck/out this week's Private Eye for yet more shoulder shrugging and political evasion when confronted with the dismal evidence.KarloMarko

I am pleased that your experience was good. Mine, spaced over ten years, with both my (late) father and (late) mother was just the reverse. The clinical staff and surgical teams were faultless. The nursing follow up was God awful and I had to raise hell to overcome a total indifference from people who viewed active nursing as akin to shelf stacking. When do I clock off....not my job... And that's the problem. Variable delivery and luck of the draw, a management no-one ever sees and a partly demoralised (and casual) workforce. I fully support the NHS but WAG are in denial and have circled the wagons. At some point there must be a root and branch review. Ck/out this week's Private Eye for yet more shoulder shrugging and political evasion when confronted with the dismal evidence.

Score: 9

gathin says...3:10am Fri 7 Mar 14

Considering her and her husband are both at the public-feeding trough she always looks so depressed. Maybe she's been advised not to give the public the impression that she's earning far more money, and will do for a long time thanks to her safe seat, and the public should continue paying the Neagles to flap their gums. How Anne Clwyd couldn't afford the best health care on her long-running money from Govt and DfID is beyond me too. We public have to suffer the NHS as we can't afford not to.

Considering her and her husband are both at the public-feeding trough she always looks so depressed.
Maybe she's been advised not to give the public the impression that she's earning far more money, and will do for a long time thanks to her safe seat, and the public should continue paying the Neagles to flap their gums.
How Anne Clwyd couldn't afford the best health care on her long-running money from Govt and DfID is beyond me too.
We public have to suffer the NHS as we can't afford not to.gathin

Considering her and her husband are both at the public-feeding trough she always looks so depressed. Maybe she's been advised not to give the public the impression that she's earning far more money, and will do for a long time thanks to her safe seat, and the public should continue paying the Neagles to flap their gums. How Anne Clwyd couldn't afford the best health care on her long-running money from Govt and DfID is beyond me too. We public have to suffer the NHS as we can't afford not to.

Score: 4

Cymru Am Beth says...9:54am Fri 7 Mar 14

Lliswerry Man wrote…

Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds? Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget. We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die. There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases. £27 million defecit?.... something is not working.

With regard to prescription costs, this is a misnomer, as most people don't pay in England either. Elderly people, people on benefits, pregnant women and people with certain conditions etc. I don't understand why people would move this side of the bridge when these exempted classes apply in England also. Another thing, if a working person is on a large amount of medication, he or she can purchase a prepayment certificate which covers the cost off ALL their medicine for a small outlay. Again this is available in England, so I don't understand the argument here?

[quote][p][bold]Lliswerry Man[/bold] wrote:
Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS
Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds?
Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget.
We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die.
There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases.
£27 million defecit?.... something is not working.[/p][/quote]With regard to prescription costs, this is a misnomer, as most people don't pay in England either.
Elderly people, people on benefits, pregnant women and people with certain conditions etc.
I don't understand why people would move this side of the bridge when these exempted classes apply in England also.
Another thing, if a working person is on a large amount of medication, he or she can purchase a prepayment certificate which covers the cost off ALL their medicine for a small outlay.
Again this is available in England, so I don't understand the argument here?Cymru Am Beth

Lliswerry Man wrote…

Perhaps people will stop knocking the Welsh Nhs, when ALL parts of it are fit for purpose and in the Modern World of Medicine and Care...... we are FAR behind most of Europe let alone our Neighbour England...and all this bleating claiming that nothing is wrong is misleading and never gets to the root causes of the problems within our NHS Old Hospitals, Old Buildings and Wards, Old Ideas ! < a big problem... It needs REAL investment and real investment now if it is to continue with its current attracting of all the Free Loaders from England who come this side of the Bridge for the Free Parking at Hospital, Free Prescriptions etc. We have an ageing population who tie up most Hospitals now which must have a huge cost on NHS funds? Im not suggesting the elderly do not deserve or should not be treated, but when we are offering FREE prescriptions, it attracts more to live this side of the bridge, especially those who have high prescription costs, I have met many people lately, who moved this side of the bridge purely for this reason so this is adding to an already stretched budget. We live in a modern world but do not have a Modern NHS, we really need a decent Maternity and Childrens A+E seperate from the general parts of the Hospital. A General Hospital was good in its day, but most now are simply not fit for purpose and those who claim differently have obviously never spent anytime in them, or watched loved ones made worse than when they were admitted or die. There are some wonderful staff and hospitals throughout Wales, but by the same token, some are Shocking....and people end up with more illnesses than when they arrived, mainly due to, far too many people being mixed together spreading diseases. £27 million defecit?.... something is not working.

With regard to prescription costs, this is a misnomer, as most people don't pay in England either. Elderly people, people on benefits, pregnant women and people with certain conditions etc. I don't understand why people would move this side of the bridge when these exempted classes apply in England also. Another thing, if a working person is on a large amount of medication, he or she can purchase a prepayment certificate which covers the cost off ALL their medicine for a small outlay. Again this is available in England, so I don't understand the argument here?

Score: 1

BassalegCountyFan says...3:23pm Fri 7 Mar 14

Whilst I'd listen to legitimate and specific concerns from people in Wales like Anne Clwyd, people really shouldn't believe that the lazy, generalized attacks on the Welsh NHS by the tories are anthing other than cheap party politics. There are problems with the NHS in Wales, no one is denying that, but there are just as many problems with the NHS over the border.44% of hospitals in Wales have death rates above the base line average, but that figure rises to over 60% in England. Similarly we are country of around 3 million, while England has a population of well over 50 million. As much as Cameron and his cronies might want it to be, the two countries aren't comparable. If you compare Wales to a region of England with a similar population and demographics (ie the North West or the North East) we fare much better. More to the point, the Welsh Assembly cabinet aren't the ones trying to carve up the NHS for privatisation- tory health secretary Jeremy Hunt is the one letting profiteers run hospital services, while offensively criticising hardworking doctors and nurses in A and E's across England as 'coasting'. Similarly look at Education, another source of tory attacks on Wales. The only Education authority in Wales under special measures is Monmouthshire...whic h is run by the tories. And the only party in the assembly who want to slash the education budget? the tories. Meanwhile, the tory Education minister spends most of his time blasting teachers and comprehensives, while bringing in the disastrous 'free schools' programme which was wasted millions. Moreover, perhaps when Perhaps when Ian Duncan Smith's complete flop - 'the Work programme' has the success of Jobs Growth Wales he can make a criticism. In the meantime, there's a reason why the tories are only polling at 19% across Wales.

Whilst I'd listen to legitimate and specific concerns from people in Wales like Anne Clwyd, people really shouldn't believe that the lazy, generalized attacks on the Welsh NHS by the tories are anthing other than cheap party politics.
There are problems with the NHS in Wales, no one is denying that, but there are just as many problems with the NHS over the border.44% of hospitals in Wales have death rates above the base line average, but that figure rises to over 60% in England. Similarly we are country of around 3 million, while England has a population of well over 50 million. As much as Cameron and his cronies might want it to be, the two countries aren't comparable. If you compare Wales to a region of England with a similar population and demographics (ie the North West or the North East) we fare much better.
More to the point, the Welsh Assembly cabinet aren't the ones trying to carve up the NHS for privatisation- tory health secretary Jeremy Hunt is the one letting profiteers run hospital services, while offensively criticising hardworking doctors and nurses in A and E's across England as 'coasting'.
Similarly look at Education, another source of tory attacks on Wales. The only Education authority in Wales under special measures is Monmouthshire...whic
h is run by the tories. And the only party in the assembly who want to slash the education budget? the tories. Meanwhile, the tory Education minister spends most of his time blasting teachers and comprehensives, while bringing in the disastrous 'free schools' programme which was wasted millions.
Moreover, perhaps when Perhaps when Ian Duncan Smith's complete flop - 'the Work programme' has the success of Jobs Growth Wales he can make a criticism.
In the meantime, there's a reason why the tories are only polling at 19% across Wales.BassalegCountyFan

Whilst I'd listen to legitimate and specific concerns from people in Wales like Anne Clwyd, people really shouldn't believe that the lazy, generalized attacks on the Welsh NHS by the tories are anthing other than cheap party politics. There are problems with the NHS in Wales, no one is denying that, but there are just as many problems with the NHS over the border.44% of hospitals in Wales have death rates above the base line average, but that figure rises to over 60% in England. Similarly we are country of around 3 million, while England has a population of well over 50 million. As much as Cameron and his cronies might want it to be, the two countries aren't comparable. If you compare Wales to a region of England with a similar population and demographics (ie the North West or the North East) we fare much better. More to the point, the Welsh Assembly cabinet aren't the ones trying to carve up the NHS for privatisation- tory health secretary Jeremy Hunt is the one letting profiteers run hospital services, while offensively criticising hardworking doctors and nurses in A and E's across England as 'coasting'. Similarly look at Education, another source of tory attacks on Wales. The only Education authority in Wales under special measures is Monmouthshire...whic h is run by the tories. And the only party in the assembly who want to slash the education budget? the tories. Meanwhile, the tory Education minister spends most of his time blasting teachers and comprehensives, while bringing in the disastrous 'free schools' programme which was wasted millions. Moreover, perhaps when Perhaps when Ian Duncan Smith's complete flop - 'the Work programme' has the success of Jobs Growth Wales he can make a criticism. In the meantime, there's a reason why the tories are only polling at 19% across Wales.

Score: -1

KarloMarko says...5:23pm Fri 7 Mar 14

NHS marketisation and private out-sourcing? Initiated and backed by New Labour. Academy schools? New Labour who said only this week that they will not reverse the Free schools drive in office. Welfare "reform", outsourcing and financial penalties? Labour, who took over a year to work out the bedroom tax was maybe a crock of. After they were shamed into it. I agree with a lot of what you say about the Tory agenda but the "pathfinders" in all this were the Labour Party. As always. Its a Neo Liberal double act.

NHS marketisation and private out-sourcing? Initiated and backed by New Labour. Academy schools? New Labour who said only this week that they will not reverse the Free schools drive in office. Welfare "reform", outsourcing and financial penalties? Labour, who took over a year to work out the bedroom tax was maybe a crock of. After they were shamed into it.
I agree with a lot of what you say about the Tory agenda but the "pathfinders" in all this were the Labour Party. As always.
Its a Neo Liberal double act.KarloMarko

NHS marketisation and private out-sourcing? Initiated and backed by New Labour. Academy schools? New Labour who said only this week that they will not reverse the Free schools drive in office. Welfare "reform", outsourcing and financial penalties? Labour, who took over a year to work out the bedroom tax was maybe a crock of. After they were shamed into it. I agree with a lot of what you say about the Tory agenda but the "pathfinders" in all this were the Labour Party. As always. Its a Neo Liberal double act.

Score: 3

gingertom says...6:20pm Fri 7 Mar 14

The general public should have a way of giving people like lynne neagle the boot from the assembly. The ambulance service is in disarray, A&E's are choc a block, huge waiting lists for orthopaedics, heart patients are dying waiting for operations and they do nothing about it. Too many freeloaders living the life of riley on the taxpayers expense need to either do their job or step aside.

The general public should have a way of giving people like lynne neagle the boot from the assembly.
The ambulance service is in disarray, A&E's are choc a block, huge waiting lists for orthopaedics, heart patients are dying waiting for operations and they do nothing about it.
Too many freeloaders living the life of riley on the taxpayers expense need to either do their job or step aside.gingertom

The general public should have a way of giving people like lynne neagle the boot from the assembly. The ambulance service is in disarray, A&E's are choc a block, huge waiting lists for orthopaedics, heart patients are dying waiting for operations and they do nothing about it. Too many freeloaders living the life of riley on the taxpayers expense need to either do their job or step aside.

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